If you’re thinking about planting vines, one of the first questions you’ll ask is “How much land do I need?” The answer depends on what you want out of your vineyard – a backyard hobby, a family-scale cellar, or a small commercial venture. This guide looks at typical vineyard sizes and what they produce.
Vineyard scale and land size
In Australia, vine spacing and row spacing affect how many vines fit in an area. A typical density is 2.5–3 m between rows and 1–1.5 m between vines in a row. Use the formula density (vines per ha) = 10,000 / (row spacing × vine spacing) to calculate vines per hectare.
- Backyard row or micro block: A single row or two along a fence might be just 10–20 vines, perfect for a hobby.
- ¼ acre (0.1 ha): About 200–400 vines. Enough for 200–400 bottles – ideal for a personal label or club.
- 1 acre (0.4 ha): Roughly 800–1,600 vines. More grapes, means more wine or the ability to experiment with different varieties.
- 3 acres (1.2 ha): 3,000–5,000 vines. This scale starts to pay for itself if managed well.
- 5+ acres (2 ha+): 6,000–10,000 vines or more. A small business; you’ll need machinery and labour.
Other land considerations
- Orientation and slope: North-facing slopes in Australia capture more sunlight. Sloped sites need careful erosion control.
- Machinery access: Row widths (2.5–3 m) allow a tractor or ATV to pass. Plan your driveway and headlands for turning.
- Soil and drainage: Well-drained soils produce healthier vines. Heavy clay or waterlogged areas may require subsurface drainage.
- Water availability: Access to irrigation water is critical in most regions.
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You can grow grapes almost anywhere – from a few vines in the backyard to a dozen acres. The key is matching your ambitions to the land, equipment, and time you have available. Start small, learn as you go, and expand if the bug bites.
Links for further reading
For more help planning your vineyard, see these related guides:
- How many vines do I need to make my own wine?
- Can I plant grapevines on a slope?
- Back to Starting a Small Vineyard (high-level overview)
